Record Store Day 2014: Events Around Seattle

04/18/2014

Susan Hood

The third Saturday of April approaches, and anticipation among record collectors is palpable in Seattle. Independent record stores in Seattle are hunkering down for the hoards and stocking up on special releases. Here's what you can expect at your favorite stores around town.

The beloved West Seattle record shop will open at 7:00 AM on Saturday, with Rick Friel serving Caffe Vita's newest coffee, Easy Street's Indo 25 Blend, to folks in line starting at 6:00 AM!

Store employees Michael Whitmore and KEXP's Troy Nelson will be DJ'ing, and staff will be giving away prizes throughout the day. Barrett Martin and Van Conner of the Screaming Trees will be signing at 11 AM. There will be a Kids Happy Hour at 3:00 PM with Caspar Babypants signing and performing a DJ set. And at 7:00 PM, Sub Pop band Rose Windows will treat shoppers to an in-store performance!

Tune in to The Afternoon Show on KEXP this Friday, April 18th at 3:00 PM PT as DJ and renowned record collector Kevin Cole previews the day's releases with store owner, Matt Vaughan.

Down in Georgetown, the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Recording Academy teams with Georgetown Records and Fantagraphics Bookstore to commemorate Record Store Day with Grammy Breakout Sessions: Vinyl Vault. This fascinating program features two of Seattle’s most prominent musician/producers, Jack Endino and Steve Fisk, playing records and discussing their creative process. Sub Pop co-founder Bruce Pavitt will be spinning records throughout the evening. The event kicks off at 6:30 PM.

The Light in the Attic storefront (which opened back in November 2013) will celebrate their first Record Store Day with their three excellent RSD exclusives: Built to Spill – Ultimate Alternative Wavers reissue, Stephen John Kalinich – A World Of Peace Must Come, and Michael Chapman – Playing Guitar The Easy Way.

They're also offering a 25% off sale on any non-RSD products, along with some sweet giveaways throughout the day. They'll be open from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Silver Platters throws open the doors early, at 9:00 AM. Not only will they have a fine selection of Record Store Day rarities, but all regularly priced new and used vinyl will be 10% off from 2:00 PM until close!

This year, the store is proud to offer its first ever live in-store recording of Jake Bugg. Like everything else released on Record Store Day, it's limited edition, available on a first-come basis, limit one per customer.

Last year, folks started to line up for Sonic Boom the night before (Record Store Day Eve?). This year, the store will open at 10:00 AM, as usual. On their website, they state, "We will be letting people in by groups so that it doesn't get too uncomfortable."

Also, Sonic Boom will instate the rule: "Limit of 1 of each title per customer. No holds. No saves. Anyone caught stashing records for later will be asked to leave. That's just not cool."

This year's Sonic Boom celebration includes an in-store performance by St Paul and the Broken Bones at 6:00 PM.

The Vera Project are celebrating Record Store Day EARLY on Friday, April 18th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM with their Roving Record Store, stocked to the gills with releases from local labels Sub Pop, Barsuk, Hardly Art and Suicide Squeeze! Here's how it works:

1. Download the Uber app for IPhone or Android.2. Between 11am-4pm today, request the “RECORD STORE” option via your app.3. If the Roving Record Store is available, you will have 20 minutes to dig through limited edition vinyl, score some swag, and a few other surprises (a chance to win free tickets to see METZ!)

For a $20 donation to The Vera Project, you get:• $20 credit towards your purchase of vinyl • 20 minutes to shop limited edition releases from your favorite Seattle labels• Roving Record Store SWAG (while supplies last)• A code for 20% off your rides to and from your local record store the following day

The best part? 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The Vera Project! Want to donate more? Just let your driver know when you’re done shopping!

Wherever you end up this Saturday, be safe, and play nice, Seattle!

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